JP4323529B2 - Automatic ice machine in refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a structure of a water supply pump for simplifying and downsizing a peripheral structure of a water supply tank used in an automatic ice maker of a refrigerator, and a mounting method thereof.

FIG. 12 is an attachment diagram of a water supply pump and a water supply tank in an automatic ice maker for a refrigerator as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 08-019933. A configuration diagram of the peripheral structure is shown in FIG.
In the figure, 1 is a refrigerator body, 2 is a water supply tank, 3 is a water supply pump, and the water supply pump 3 is fixed to the water supply tank 2 by a pump fixing screw 18.
Reference numeral 19 denotes an impeller, 20 denotes a screw-type cap, and 21 denotes a case with a flange.
FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the impeller 19 shown in FIG. 13, where 7 is a magnet, 8 is splashed, and 23 is a lid of the impeller 19.

The water supply tank 2 and the water supply pump 3 are fixed by a pump fixing screw 18, and the water supply pump 3 can be detached from the water supply tank 2 by removing this part.
Moreover, also in the removed water supply pump 3, the impeller 19 can be taken out by removing the screw type cap 20 fitted with the screw type, and can be cleaned.
Here, the mounting position of the water supply pump 3 is provided with a groove 22 in the mounting portion of the water supply pump 3 in order to minimize the amount of remaining water in the water supply tank 2, and the water intake port of the water supply pump 3 is connected to the bottom of the water supply tank 2. Height.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-274343 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-018554 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-270010 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 47-020729 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 03-295513 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-021394 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-069774

  The conventional automatic ice making machine of the refrigerator has the structure around the water supply tank as described above. Therefore, since the water supply pump 3 is fixed to the water supply tank 2 by the pump fixing screw 18, the flange has a flanged case 21. There is a problem that the shape becomes complicated.

  In addition, since the flanged case 21 and the screw type cap 20 of the water supply pump 3 are screw type, the distance between the magnet of the motor and the magnet 7 in the impeller 19 that are opposed to each other due to the tightening of the screw during disassembly and assembly. However, there is a possibility that the noise during operation of the feed water pump 3 may increase due to the variation in performance, the possibility that the performance may change, and the large play.

  Furthermore, since the structure of the impeller 19 was assembled by housing the magnet 7 in a case with splashes 8 and welding the lid 23, the number of parts and man-hours increased, and the impeller 19 itself was larger than the magnet 7 alone. It was.

  Here, as described above, in order to reduce the residual water, it is necessary to match the suction portion of the water supply pump 3 with the bottom surface of the water supply tank 2 to reduce the residual water. However, since the shape of the water supply tank 2 is determined by the shape of the water supply pump 3, the larger the water supply pump 3, the more distorted the shape of the water supply tank 2 is.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to simplify the mounting structure of the water supply pump and the water supply tank.
Another object of the present invention is to simplify the fitting between the case and the cap of the water supply pump and to eliminate the rattling noise with good performance.
Moreover, it aims at reducing the number of parts of an impeller.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a refrigerator main body, an automatic ice maker that is provided in the main body and automatically makes ice, a water supply tank that is provided in the automatic ice maker and stores water, A water supply pump that is provided in the water supply tank and supplies water from the water supply tank to the ice tray, a tank fitting rib that is provided in the water supply pump and is fitted to the water supply tank, and a water supply tank that is provided in the water supply tank. And a pump mounting portion having a groove into which the rib is fitted.

  In the automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to the present invention, a separate component for fixing and a fixing flange are not required for the water supply pump, and the shape of the water supply pump is simplified.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and is an overall view of a refrigerator. In the figure, 1 is a refrigerator body and 2 is a water supply tank.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and is a structure diagram around a water supply tank of a refrigerator. In the figure, 3 is a water supply pump, 4 is a pump driving motor for driving the water supply pump, 5 is an ice tray, and 6 is a water supply path connecting the water pump 3 and the ice tray 5.
As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply pump 3 and the pump drive motor 4 are arranged so as to face each other with the water supply tank 2 interposed therebetween.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a configuration diagram of a water supply pump and a drive motor of a refrigerator. In the figure, 7 is a magnet on the pump side, 8 is a spring, 9 is a pump case, 10 is a cap, and 12 is a magnet attached to the pump drive motor 4.

  The operation of the water supply pump 3 supplies electric power to the pump drive motor 4 and rotates the attached magnet 12 to rotate the magnet 7 and the spring 8 of the opposite water supply pump 3, as shown in FIG. It is structured to send water.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view showing a water supply pump attached to the refrigerator. In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a rib for fitting the tank attached to the case 9 of the water supply pump 3, and it is rotated clockwise along the groove of the pump mounting portion 14 formed integrally with the water supply tank 2 and formed in a U-shape. Can be attached.

  This embodiment eliminates the need for flanges and screws as in the conventional example, and simplifies the shape and reduces the material.

  The automatic ice maker of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that the pump mounting portion is formed in a U-shape integrally with the water supply tank, which eliminates the need for flanges and screws and simplifies the shape and material Can be reduced.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the attachment structure of the water supply pump and the water supply tank is shown. However, for example, by providing a convex portion 14a of about 0.5 mm as shown in FIG. Become.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a convex shape portion for preventing detachment in a groove of a water supply tank, and suppresses detachment of a water supply pump.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 7 is a view showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention, and is an assembly view showing the fitting of the case and the cap of the water supply pump. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a rib attached to the case 9 of the water supply pump 3, which is attached along a groove of the case attaching portion 16 provided integrally with the cap shown in 16 and formed in a U-shape.
This embodiment eliminates performance problems and rattling noise as in the prior art.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In addition, in Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3, although the water supply pump and the water supply tank, the case of the water supply pump and the mounting structure of the cap were shown, by reversing the groove direction of the pump mounting portion 14 and the case mounting portion 16, For example, the cap does not come off the case when turning to the right when installing the water supply pump.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a water supply pump, and includes a case containing an impeller, a cap attached to the case, a cap attachment rib provided in the case, and a cap. And a case mounting portion having a groove into which the cap mounting rib is fitted, and the pump mounting portion groove and the case mounting portion groove are provided in opposite directions. Suppresses removal from the case.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the third embodiment, the case and the cap mounting structure of the water supply pump are shown. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the user can immediately change the rotation direction by imprinting arrows or letters in the mounting direction and the disassembly direction, respectively. I can grasp.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a water supply pump, and includes a case containing an impeller, a cap attached to the case, a cap attachment rib provided in the case, and a cap. And a case mounting portion having a groove into which the cap mounting rib is fitted. The cap is provided with an indication of the mounting direction and the disassembly direction, and the user can immediately grasp the rotation direction.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, the display example that is easy for the user to understand for the assembly of the pump and the case is shown. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, by attaching the knob rib 17 for attaching the finger to the cap by integral molding. User workability is improved.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a water supply pump, and includes a case containing an impeller, a cap attached to the case, a cap attachment rib provided in the case, and a cap. And a case mounting portion having a groove into which the cap mounting rib is fitted, and the cap is provided with a knob rib for attaching a finger of the user, so that the workability of the user is improved.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
FIG. 9 is an impeller configuration diagram in which a spring and a magnet are bonded and integrated. In FIG. 9, 7 is a magnet, and 8 is a spring made of plastic or metal.
According to this embodiment, since the magnet 7 is housed in the case and there is no need to weld the lid, man-hours are reduced. Furthermore, since the case is no longer necessary, the distance between the magnet 7 in the water supply pump and the motor side magnet 12 attached to the motor 4 for driving the pump is shortened by 2 mm. The impeller 19 can be downsized from Φ33 mm to Φ27 mm.
Furthermore, since the impeller 19 has become smaller, the outer diameter of the water supply pump 3 is changed from Φ44 mm to Φ32 mm, and the recess of the water supply tank 2 can be made shallower. Thus, by making the dent of the water supply tank 2 shallow, the cleaning property is improved, and the amount of water remaining in the dent can also be reduced.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a water supply pump, and includes a case containing an impeller, a cap attached to the case, a cap attachment rib provided in the case, and a cap. And a case mounting portion having a groove in which the cap mounting rib is fitted, and the impeller is formed by bonding the magnet and the spring together, and it is not necessary to weld the lid, so man-hours are reduced. Reduced. Furthermore, since the case is no longer necessary, the magnet can be downsized and the impeller can be downsized. Furthermore, since the impeller is reduced in size, the outer diameter of the water supply pump is reduced and the recess of the water supply tank can be made shallower, the cleaning performance is improved, and the amount of water remaining in the recess can be reduced.

Embodiment 8 FIG.
In the seventh embodiment, the spring 8 and the magnet 7 are bonded and integrated. However, by integrally forming the material of the magnet 7, the man-hours and the number of parts can be further reduced. Of course, since the water supply pump 3 is also small, the shape of the water supply tank is simplified, it is easy to clean, and the remaining water is reduced.

  An automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in a water supply pump, and includes a case containing an impeller, a cap attached to the case, a cap attachment rib provided in the case, and a cap. And a case mounting portion having a groove into which the cap mounting rib is fitted, and the impeller is formed by integrally molding the magnet and the spring, and the man-hours and the number of parts can be further reduced.

Embodiment 9 FIG.
In the seventh and eighth embodiments, it has been described that the remaining water has decreased due to the impeller 19 becoming smaller. However, as shown in FIG. Can be reduced.

  In the automatic ice maker of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water supply pump has a water intake port, is installed vertically in the water supply tank, the water intake port faces downward, and reduces residual water. Can do.

Embodiment 10 FIG.
In the ninth embodiment, the method for reducing the remaining water without changing the mounting state has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the remaining water can be reduced by arranging the water supply pump 3 upward and extending the water intake side. Is possible.

  In the automatic ice maker of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, the water supply pump has a water inlet, is installed sideways in the water supply tank, the water inlet is directed sideways, and the remaining water is reduced. Can do.

It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a general view of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a water supply tank periphery structure figure of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a block diagram of the water supply pump and drive motor of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the flow of the water of the water supply pump of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows an example of embodiment of this invention, and is a water supply pump attachment figure of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the attachment part rib shape of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is a water supply pump assembly drawing of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the cap part marking of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is an impeller block diagram of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the water inlet shape of the water supply pump of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a figure which shows the other example of embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the water supply pump arrangement position of the automatic ice maker of a refrigerator. It is a water supply pump attachment figure of the automatic ice maker of the conventional refrigerator. It is a water supply tank block diagram of the automatic ice maker of the conventional refrigerator. It is an impeller block diagram of the conventional automatic ice maker of a refrigerator.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator main body, 2 Water supply tank, 3 Water supply pump, 4 Pump drive motor, 5 Ice tray, 6 Water supply path, 7 Pump side magnet, 8 Spring, 9 Pump case, 10 Pump cap, 11 Drive motor, 12 Motor side magnet, 13 Tank fitting rib, 14 Pump mounting section, 15 Cap mounting rib, 16 Case mounting section, 17 Knob rib, 18 Screw, 19 Impeller, 20 Screw cap, 21 Case with flange.

Claims (9)

The refrigerator body,
An automatic ice maker that is installed in this body and automatically makes ice,
A water supply tank that is installed in this automatic ice maker and stores water;
A water supply pump provided in the water supply tank for supplying the water from the water supply tank to the ice tray;
Provided in this water supply pump, a tank fitting rib for fitting with the water supply tank,
A pump mounting portion where the water pump is attached to the water supply tank by turning the rib for fitting the tank along a groove provided in a U shape in the water supply tank;
A case provided in the water supply pump and containing an impeller;
A cap attached to this case;
A cap mounting rib provided in the case;
The cap mounting rib comprises a case mounting portion for mounting the cap to the case by turning along a U-shaped groove formed on the cap;
A direction in which the tank fitting rib is rotated along the groove of the pump mounting portion and a direction in which the cap mounting rib is rotated along the groove of the case mounting portion are opposite to each other. Automatic ice machine for refrigerator . The refrigerator body,
An automatic ice maker that is installed in this body and automatically makes ice,
A water supply tank that is installed in this automatic ice maker and stores water;
A water supply pump provided in the water supply tank for supplying the water from the water supply tank to the ice tray;
Provided in the case of this water supply pump, a tank fitting rib for fitting with the water supply tank,
A pump mounting portion where the water pump is attached to the water supply tank by turning the rib for fitting the tank along a groove provided in a U shape in the water supply tank;
A cap attached to the case of the water supply pump;
A cap mounting rib provided in the case;
The cap mounting rib comprises a case mounting portion for mounting the cap to the case by turning along a U-shaped groove formed on the cap;
A direction in which the tank fitting rib is rotated along the groove of the pump mounting portion and a direction in which the cap mounting rib is rotated along the groove of the case mounting portion are opposite to each other. Automatic ice machine for refrigerator .   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a convex-shaped portion for preventing detachment is provided in the groove of the water supply tank.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cap is provided with an indication of an attachment direction and a disassembly direction.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a knob rib for attaching a user's finger to the cap is provided on the cap.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the impeller is integrally formed by bonding a magnet and a spring.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the impeller is integrally formed with a magnet and a spring.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply pump has a water intake port, is vertically installed in the water supply tank, and the water intake port faces downward.   The automatic ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water supply pump has a water intake port, is installed horizontally in the water supply tank, and the water intake port is directed sideways.

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